After Boris Johnson resigned this summer (cue: the list of scandals), the Conservative Party picked Liz Truss to steer the ship. She had big plans to slash taxes and tackle the UK’s energy problems. But that tax plan got her into some trouble. After details of the plan were announced, the pound’s value plummeted — along with her approval rating. She gave her finance minister the boot and her home secretary called it quits. And other leaders made moves to undo Truss’s tax proposal…undermining her leadership. Now, Truss is resigning after six weeks in office — making her the shortest-serving UK PM, ever.
For now. Truss said she couldn’t “deliver the mandate” she was elected for. Her resignation is likely to throw the Conservative Party into a state of disarray (again). Truss will stay in office until a successor is chosen, which could come as early as next week. Some options include Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons; Rishi Sunak, a former chancellor who lost to Truss; or Ben Wallace, the defense secretary. Meanwhile, Truss will apparently get paid $129,00 a year for life. And the Conservative Party has until 2025 to call an election.
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UK politics is starting to look a lot like “Game of Thrones” with a new person taking lead (what feels like) every five minutes. But winter is coming and it’s going to be long as the UK continues to struggle with stagflation and concerns over energy.
It’s been almost four months since SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade. The latest battleground: the Pentagon. Yesterday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told troops it will pay for travel if they’re based in a state where abortion is not legal. The move could impact the estimated 200,000 women in the US military (who make up about 17% of the US armed forces). But that’s not all. Austin’s also ordering the DoD to prioritize privacy for women, give them more time to report pregnancies, and basically telling commanders not to ask too many questions about leave requests.
The announcement could help the Defense Dept with retaining and recruiting women. But it also raises questions about how the DoD can deliver on promises to help pay for travel given the Hyde Amendment — which prevents federal dollars from going toward most abortions. DoD officials acknowledge there’s not much they can do for women in states where abortion is banned — but hope the order will still help women in conversations with commanders.
PS: Abortion is a key issue for many in the upcoming midterm elections. Skimm Your Ballot for tools and resources.
And Also...This
What just disappeared, quick…
Snap’s share value. Yesterday, Snapchat’s parent company released Q3 earnings. On the upside, daily active users jumped 19% to 363 million. A win is a win. And especially in a social media market where Snap gets a lot of love from Gen Z. But the bad news hit harder: this was the slowest quarter for Snap’s revenue growth since going public. A key culprit: Apple’s software update. Last year Apple gave iPhone users more control over their data, making it harder for apps to deliver targeted ads. Now, Snap says it won’t predict next quarter’s outcomes because of “uncertainties” in the environment. Shares tanked 25% — not exactly making the ghost do its happy dance. And since Meta and Alphabet rely on digital ads, too, those shares also dropped. Looks like Halloween spooked investors early this year.
...Oh and speaking of a disappearing act, Elon Musk is reportedly axing 75% of Twitter's employees once the deal to buy the social media company goes through — which could come as soon as next week.
What made the back-to-school list…
COVID-19 vaccines. Yesterday, a CDC advisory committee voted in favor of adding the shots to immunization schedules for kids and adults. The panel — made up of medical and public health experts — meets three times a year to discuss vaccine recommendations. Like who should and shouldn’t get a shot, how many doses, and when to schedule them. The CDC then takes those recs to set the immunization schedules for vaccine-preventable diseases (think: chickenpox, polio, measles, and the flu). And states rely on them for guidance on school entry requirements. It comes as variants like BQ.1.1, BQ.1, and BF.7 continue to gain traction, accounting for nearly 17% of US cases. And concerns are growing over the spread of the so-called “nightmare” XBB variant — which has caused cases to surge in Singapore. It comes as less than 10% of those eligible in the US got their updated booster.
Who made it through another court case…
Kevin Spacey. Yesterday, a New York jury found the Oscar-winning actor not liable for battery in a $40 million lawsuit. In 2017, former "Rent" actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances at a party in 1986 when he was 14. His marked the beginning of dozens of other misconduct allegations against Spacey at the height of the #MeToo era. But the jury found that there wasn’t enough evidence to support Rapp’s allegations. Spacey’s lawyers said they’re “grateful that the jury saw the truth.” Rapp said the lawsuit was about “shining a light” on sexual violence. It’s the third legal victory for Spacey. Next, he faces a criminal trial in the UK after pleading not guilty to five sex assault charges.
Who people are mourning…
Misrach Ewunetie. Yesterday, the body of the 20-year-old Princeton University student was found on campus a week after she went missing. Officials say her death did not seem “suspicious or criminal in nature” and that there were no “signs of injury.” But an autopsy should provide more answers. The university called Ewunetie’s death an “unthinkable tragedy.”
As temps drop, your feet miiiight need some help staying cozy. Enter: Bombas. Their socks and slipper-sock hybrids are long-lasting, colorful, and super giftable (holiday season, that u?). Plus, when you buy a pair, they donate one to a person in need. Head here to see what we’re eyeing…
Ever wonder what products are really, really worth it? Our series Skimm Tested — where we try out and review items so you know what to add to cart — aims to answer that Q. Check out our latest on these buzzy tech products:
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. The trailer we’ve all been waiting for. New episodes of “The Crown” hit Netflix soon. And this season, the royals enter their most pivotal decade yet (hint: the ‘90s). So peep the trailer. Then mark your cal for November 9.*
2. Genius storage solutions for small spaces. We found products that’ll do the greatest thing possible for your home: create more space. In your closet, kitchen, bedroom, and pretty much everywhere else.
3. Leather and faux leather jackets for every style. Nothing screams fall style quite like a classic leather jacket. From bomber silhouettes to designs with fringe, we've rounded up some of our faves.
*PS: This is a sponsored post.
Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Feeling lucky...Jonathan C (CT). His new book on the history of lottery tickets in the US — “For a Dollar and a Dream” — just got profiled in the New Yorker. Power(ball) move.
(Some) Birthdays…Lisa H (ID), Alan Patricof (NY), Casey Carroll (NY), Ellen Stein (NY), Kirenjot Singh (NJ), Aitana Zermeño (CA), Brandon Elias (NY), Quentin King (PA), David Hashim (NY), Jodi Wright (IA), Lisa Love (IN), Stacy Laue (NC), Kendal Forward (PA), Val Cohen (PA), Allison Hix (MO)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Answer: C. Tricky question. All three have albums out today. The lyric we chose, I’m a monster on the hill, was from “Anti-Hero” off of Taylor Swift’s 10th studio album, “Midnights.” Which apparently includes bonus tracks we would’ve, could’ve, should’ve heard immediately.
Cancel your Friday night plans and cozy up with earphones and a cardigan. Oh, and stay tuned this AM for the “Anti-Hero” music video dropping at 8am ET. ‘Cause we’re a sexy baby.
Skimm More
Bigger isn’t always better. But it is when you’re talking about giant pumpkin competitions. This week on “Skimm This,” we talk to one of the top female growers in the mega pumpkin community to get a behind-the-squash look at pumpkin-growing contests, the high-stakes planting process, and more. Watch out for the big gourrrds.
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